Good Managers Of God's Varied Grace

So far in our discussion of spiritual gifts we have looked at three of the most common passages quoted: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4, both of the two '12s' and one of the two '4s'. We proceed now to the second of the '4s', I Peter 4:10-11, 

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. - 1Pet 4:10-11 ESV

As always, we must consider the context of Peter's words. He points out that Christ suffered once for the sins of all men that he might bring us to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was made alive in the spirit and proclaimed his victory over sin and death. This victory is ours. As Noah and his family were rescued from the flood and brought safely through it by the ark, so in our baptism the risen Christ has proclaimed to us that all our sins are washed away. We stand before God now with clean consciences, servants of the risen and ascended Christ (1 Peter 3:18-22).


Arm yourselves with this way of thinking, says Peter. You have died with Christ and risen with him to a new life in the spirit as opposed to your former life guided by your sinful human flesh. You have been reborn and like newborn infants, you can't get enough of the pure spiritual milk. It tastes so very good, ever reminding you of the Lord's goodness and mercy (1 Peter 2:2-3). That milk, that Word is His way of growing you up in Christ. Live now as people who have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in you (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Peter 4:1-2).

You are therefore a spiritual person, blessed with new life and faith in our risen Lord Jesus Christ. As a spiritual person you have also received a gift (charisma). Use it. That's why the Spirit gave it to you, to use. Use it to serve others in the body of Christ. Be a good steward and manager of God's varied grace.

Here are a couple examples:

• if you have a gift of speaking, speak the oracles or words of God (Matt.10:19-20)
• if you have a gift of serving, serve by the strength that God supplies (1 Cor. 3:10)

The purpose for using your gift, whatever it is, is to glorify and make God great through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. So be it. Amen (1 Peter 4:11).

As in all four of the passages studied, we find no instructions about taking a quiz, using a tool or studying a list to discover one's spiritual gift(s). We are instead told again and again to meditate upon the Gospel and to rejoice in the fact that we are God's beloved children by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are alive in the spirit. We have the life of God's Spirit within us. And that same Spirit always gives gifts, special gifts by which we are empowered to serve one another and bring glory to the blessed name of Jesus. We know what those gifts are. We are gifted people. We are given opportunities to use our gifts. We are called and empowered by that Spirit in many and varied circumstances. Trust the Spirit.

Tomorrow I'll wrap up this brief study with a summary.